Styrofoam warning!!

[Katiehas4buns]

Hi everyone!

I  just want to give my fellow bunny owners a warning out of my horrific experience. I have four hilarious, beautiful, and precious bunnies. 2 sets of bonded pairs.  I had 1 pair free roaming and I went downstairs to do something, couldn’t even tell you what, and while I was out of the room these little bunnies knocked over my bedside trashcan and found a styrofoam smoothie king cup (guessing they smelled fruit) they ate about 3 square inches of the cup. Now, here about a week later, I am dealing with the worst bloat and stasis I’ve ever had to deal with in 7 years of having rabbits. We’re still not out of the woods yet, but we’re trudging through minute by minute. Only a few teeny tiny sticky poops in past 12 hrs, but eating and drinking has begun to resume. I think because my house has been so warm and cold lately (rolling blackouts due to weather, plus a boil water notice due to contaminated water supply) it has aggravated their condition even more. Being in Texas, many veternarians are closed due to not having electricity or water. Luckily my vet drove to clinic and treated my bunnies without electricity. A true animal advocate.  I’m hoping they pull through this, I’m praying they pull through. They are such brave little fighters.

 

I just wanted to post this because sometimes we can get too comfortable.  How I wish I could assist them in any way other than syringe feeding food, medicine, baby gas drops, and belly massages. I wish I could take it all away from them. They’re so small, and so uncomfortable and in pain.

So, keep a close eye on your babies! Never assume even for 5 minutes they won’t get into something. Mischievous little loaves.

[DanaNM]

Oh no! How stressful, and even more so with the conditions in Texas. 🙁

I’m glad they are starting to eat, hopefully that will keep pushing the bad stuff through!

 

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

[Susanne]

Good to know. I have one that seeks out anything forbidden so I’ll have to keep this in mind. I hope yours recover quickly!!

[BinkyBunny]

Thank you for posting this!  This will help someone else for sure…as we all get comfortable.   I am sending healing vibes your way!  Keep us updated!

[Bam]

Thank you for this warning! Many many good healing (((((vibes))))) for your little ones.

 

[pinkiemarie]

It’s so easy for rabbits to find something you overlooked even if you’ve done everything you could think of to bunny proof. They’re just too smart and inquisitive. You’re extremely lucky to have such a dedicated vet! I hope your buns are ok!

[Katiehas4buns]

Thank you for the healing vibes everyone! One of the buns, Teddy, has made a full recovery, he’s pooping normally again, and back to himself yay!!

Unfortunately,  the other bun, Dusty, is doing worse. She is pooping more regularly, although a totally different color than normal (she usually has dark brown pooping, and now light brown/tan) and the bloat has lessened but she is now a bit wobbly and has fallen a few times, she seems to stumble here and there. I have requested an appointment with a local rabbit specialist. Their regular vet, has examined her and only found minor bruising in her ear. She has been scratching her ears alot. No sign of mites or infection. But I want to take her for a second opinion. The specialist is very expensive but I am confident if something is wrong and, she can find it.  If it can be corrected or helped, then our best shot is with her. So hopefully I will have better news soon. Dusty is hanging in there and doing her best. I’m so proud of her. Little trooper. She is 7 years old and my first bunny. She’s my baby, been with me through everything. My little roommate.  And i’ll spend my last dollar trying to help her. Keep sending prayers and vibes our way please, Dusty needs all she can get! Thanks everyone

[Bam]

A specialist vet might suggest flushing of the GI tract to get rid of partial blockages that, in your case, could consist of styrofoam.

There is also the possibility that the styrofoam episode has been so taxing foe the immune system that opportunistic microorganisms have seized the chance to proliferate and thrive. Typical culprits would be pathogenic gut bacteria or e cuniculi or fur mites.

Bloodwork would reveal a lot, I think. It is a very good diagnostic tool for rabbits.  Hopefully a blood panel would enable you and your vet to differentiate between direct poisoning by the styrofoam and secondary effects of opportunistic bacteria or other microorganisms.

 

 

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